Cerebellum

There are two main types of stroke ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke.

Causes

An ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage of the blood flow, which may be due to:

A clot from another part of the body like the heart or neck. The clot breaks off and flows through the blood until it becomes trapped in a blood vessel supplying the brain.

A clot that forms in an artery that supplies blood to the brain.

A tear in an artery supplying blood to the brain. This is called an arterial dissection.

A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a burst blood vessel. Blood spills out of the broken blood vessel and pools in the brain. This interrupts the flow of blood and causes a build up of pressure on the brain.

Risk Factors

Certain factors increase your risk of stroke but can not be changed, such as:

Race—People of African American, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.